Details on the Unusual Deaths of Actor Gene Hackman and His Wife

Gene Hackman was found in a separate room outside the kitchen, possibly having fallen before his death. Meanwhile, his wife was discovered deceased in the bathroom, with her body already decomposing.

The Santa Fe County Police Department (New Mexico, USA) confirmed that they found the bodies of Gene Hackman (95) and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa (63), along with their pet dog at their private residence in Santa Fe on the afternoon of February 26 (local time).

According to TMZ, police discovered Arakawa lying on her right side in the ground-floor bathroom, with a black heating device near her head. Authorities believe the heater may have fallen from the kitchen counter if Arakawa had collapsed suddenly. A prescription pill bottle was also found open on the kitchen counter, with pills scattered on the surface.

Initial assessments suggest that Arakawa had been deceased for a considerable time before being discovered, as her body had already begun decomposing. She also had swelling on her face, and her limbs appeared desiccated, resembling a mummy.

The two-time Oscar-winning actor was found in a separate room outside the kitchen. Investigators believe he may have suffered a sudden fall, as his glasses were found dislodged from his face.

The couple’s German Shepherd was found dead inside a closet near the bathroom, approximately 3-4.5 meters from Arakawa’s body. However, two other dogs were found alive—one outside the house and another inside.

According to the Daily Mail, two maintenance workers discovered the bodies at the couple’s $3.3 million Santa Fe mansion at 1:46 PM on February 26 (local time). They had gone to check on the couple after not seeing them for about two weeks. Upon arrival, they noticed the front door was slightly open and decided to enter.

Police were notified immediately. The search warrant obtained by TMZ stated: “The deaths of these individuals are suspicious enough to warrant a thorough search and investigation, as the reporting party found the front door unsecured and ajar.”

However, after examining the scene, police found no signs of forced entry.

Initially, authorities suspected carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death. However, investigations revealed no signs of gas leaks. Both the fire department and New Mexico Gas Company conducted inspections but found nothing abnormal.

“So far, there is no indication or evidence of any issues related to the gas lines in or around the residence,” authorities emphasized in their statement.

A representative from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that there was no suspicion of foul play. However, the exact cause of death remains undetermined.

Chris Ramirez, spokesperson for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, stated that final medical examiner reports typically take about 4-6 weeks to complete.

According to NBC News, law enforcement has launched an investigation into the deaths of the veteran artists.

News of the Hackmans’ passing has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many are bewildered, unsure of what transpired before their deaths. Fans also expressed sorrow that a legend like Gene Hackman ended his life in such a tragic manner.

“This is insane! How does a healthy 63-year-old woman suddenly fall? Why did Gene fall? Why was a dog found in the closet? Did his wife pass away weeks before Gene? It takes weeks to months for a body to mummify… So many questions about this. What a tragic end to Gene’s illustrious life,” one commenter wrote.